Android lets you ‘bubble’ apps for easy access now – how it works
Android introduces app bubbles for easier access to apps on home screen. Pixel exclusive, coming to other phones soon.
Intelligence analysis by Qwen 2.5 (3B)
Android 17 adds app bubbles, allowing users to isolate apps on their home screen for easy access. This feature is currently exclusive to Pixel devices but will be available on other manufacturers' phones in the future.
Imagine you have a bunch of toy cars. Instead of keeping them all in one box, you can put each car in its own little box. This way, you can easily find the car you want without digging through all the others.
Analysis
{"heading":"How to Bubble an App on a Google Pixel","subheading":"Step-by-Step Guide","paragraph_1":"To bubble an app on a Google Pixel, first choose the app you want to isolate. Then, long-press the app until a pop-up menu appears. Select the 'Bubble' option from the menu.","paragraph_2":"The app will then shrink to an icon that can be moved around your home screen. You can place the app anywhere along the left or right side of your screen, but it will always stay on top of everything else.","paragraph_3":"This feature is similar to the existing 'Smart Pop-Up View' on Samsung devices, which allows users to respond to notifications on selected apps without leaving the app they're in."}
Key points
- Android 17 introduces app bubbles for easier access to apps on home screen
- Currently exclusive to Pixel devices, but coming to other manufacturers' phones soon
- Users can isolate apps on their home screen for easy access
This feature can help users manage their apps more efficiently, reducing the time spent searching for frequently used apps.
Users who prefer not to use floating icons might find this feature distracting or unnecessary.
